God’s Help

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When I was seeking to relocate from Santa Fe, NM I told (yes, “told”) God that I would do everything I could to make the move happen.

I would do the research, visualize and affirm, be willing to give up my business and take a j-o-b, and rent an apartment instead of own a house, but the money part was His. I had no idea how He was going to make it happen, but make it happen He did.

My father, who had recently re-entered my life, decided to give each of the children a portion of their inheritance before he passed on. It was a sum far greater than I would have imagined, coming at the perfect time; and how wonderful that my dad was alive to see what joy his gift brought and know how appreciated it was.

Not only was I able to move to Phoenix, but I got to continue my business, and purchase a beautiful home. God came through with shining colors. When I finally had asked God for help, I received so much, not just in material terms, but in spiritual growth. It was a lesson I never wanted to forget.

I’ve been pretty good about not forgetting this huge lesson. Less and less I wait longer and longer to ask for Spirit’s help, be it for the ‘small’ things or the ‘big’ things in life.

And, so it is with our desire to move north to be closer to Nature, live in community, live a simpler life, and be of service. Rog and I have been asking for Spirit’s help and guidance not just on a daily basis, but way more often. And, we’ve been receiving it.

The help we are focused on now is obtaining a place to call home in view of our current financial situation. Spirit has inspired us with creative ways to explore living rent-free with some opportunities having passed our way, but not being The One. The help we are focused on now is obtaining a place to call home in view of our current financial situation. Spirit has inspired us with creative ways to explore living rent-free with some opportunities having passed our way, but not being The One.

As I look back on the past several months, it seems clear that there is a plan. And, in order for the plan to work, God – my Source, my inexhaustible, unlimited, unfailing Supply – will work out the ‘how’. He uses many channels in which to grace me with blessings and abundance, and with Him, all things are possible.

God knows His job and I know mine: to be in fit spiritual condition, remain right-sized, know who is really in charge, and be willing to ask for help and follow guidance.

Mind Versus Heart

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“Don’t try to reach God with your understanding; that is impossible. Reach Him in love; that is possible.” – Carlo Carretto

When I was a devout atheist, I was trying to have the existence of God proven to me directly. But there wasn’t a way for my logical ability and understanding to show me that Spirit existed. Even studying the philosophy of religion in college and learning of the arguments for God’s existence made down through the ages only proved to me that God’s existence could not be proved in a scientific way.

When my mind let go of the notion for logical understanding of God and my heart opened up just a tiny bit (the size of a mustard seed) to a possible other way, I found the ‘proof’ I needed.

It wasn’t in the form of logic, understanding, or scientific evidence. It was from hearing about and witnessing the character rearrangements and what could only be deemed ‘miracles’ in those around me walking a spiritual path. My soul was touched and it could only be God behind all this. God had reached my fellow travelers through love, and God had reached me too.

With all my thinking, it was not possible for me to conceive of or reach God, but through my heart being flooded by Its love, it was a no-brainer.

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From Here to Eternity

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“Savor the moment, for it is through your intention to fully embrace what is, right now, that you transform this moment into eternity.”

– The Voice for Love, Saturday, September 26, 2009

“Eternity” has some interesting definitions. For some folks it means existing for a limitless amount of time, and for others, it refers to a timeless existence altogether outside of time.

Living and embracing the moment for what it is right now seems like a good idea in and of itself. How I live now will determine, to some extent, how I live in the next moment and further on down the road like tomorrow.

However I choose to use the word eternity, I know that Spirit is with me always, wherever I am. In time or outside of time, in space or outside of space, God and I are inseparable. And, that sits just fine with me.

Mental Diet

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Like many others, Emmet Fox says that if you change your mind your conditions must change too. ‘As within, so without.’ That means your health, your wealth, home life, work life, etc. Pretty powerful concept, huh?

Fox talks about training yourself to choose the subject of your thinking and to choose your moods. He suggests a seven day mental diet whereby you must not allow yourself to dwell for a single moment on any kind of negative thought. Once you start on the diet, you must go right through for seven days. If you go off the diet, you have to start all over – seven days of unbroken mental discipline is essential in order to get the mind definitely bent in a new direction once and for all.

Now, I’d not intended to go on this mental food plan, but reading about it yesterday did heighten my awareness about my thoughts.

In the first place, I noticed the number of all thoughts swirling in my head is huge. It’s no wonder I can be confused or blocked – I need a traffic cop in there! Then, it’s pretty interesting how often negativity can slip in.

However, before getting fully discouraged, I continued reading about the diet today. Ahhh.

Fox doesn’t intend that we will not have a negative thought. Rather, the diet is about not entertaining the thought, not dwelling upon it. The idea is that when a negative thought comes up, one whisks it away like a red hot cinder that flies out from a fire and lands on one’s sleeve. The emphasis here is on not staying on the negative thought. I feel better now.

Having an ego in this illusion, there is no doubt that negative thoughts (fear, anger, judgment, etc.) will come to my mind. My job is to let them go with love. And, I’m more and more able to do this. I may not have followed Fox’s plan – I think it a great idea – but by focusing on Spirit and returning quickly to thoughts of God and Its Will when I stray, I am able to stay in the positive realm of thought. It’s a different type of mental diet, but one that works nonetheless.

No Matter the Condition

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Dear God;

Thank You for keeping my ego in check this evening when I realized my haircut was going to take more than an hour to get completed and I had work waiting to be completed before my head was to hit the pillow. Thank You that I remained kind, gracious, and supportive of the cosmetology student.

Thank You that I thought about how I could best use the time as I sat in the salon chair as cuttings very slowly made their way off my head to the floor. And, thank You that I moved from thought to action: I said prayers for folks like I often do in my early morning practice and prayed for a blessed encounter between myself and the student.

Thank You, Spirit, that I remembered and practiced the idea that no matter what is going on around me, no matter the condition, You are accessible and peace is possible.

Autumn 2009

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It was brought to my attention the other evening that it was the fall equinox. Normally, I pay attention when a new season begins but for some reason this year, autumn didn’t register in my consciousness until my friend mentioned it.

Actually, it turns out that officially the autumnal equinox was yesterday, 09/22 at 5:18 PM (EDT). The equinox is one of two times a year when the Sun crosses the equator, and the day and night are of approximately equal length.

I’ve been thinking about why this time around I was not mindful of the change in seasons, and what does this new season mean to me this year.

“Fall” is about down, about ending. One thing that’s ending is summer – here in Gilbert, that’s a blessing! We don’t usually think of “down” as a blessing – but we could. Perhaps it’s because it’s still pretty hot here and I never expected us to still be living in Gilbert when the fall came, that I lost track of the seasons.

“Autumn” we borrowed from the Latin autumnus ‘the harvest time of plenty.’ We’re excited that the heat is ending – there’s a lot ending these days. Transformation is in the air. And with it, a bountiful harvest.

While fall is usually about moving towards hibernating in winter, we feel a great and wonderful expectancy, in a way as if it were spring, the season for rebirth. There is a New World coming, one filled with more and more community and true meaning in life. One where our life is not focused on and attempting to glean meaning from accumulating money and material things. Rather, we’re quickly moving into the space where our life is focused on love, peace, and joy in our relationships with humans, plants, and animals. This ex-atheist sees it as a time of walking even more and more with Spirit.

A song by Nina Simone comes to mind. Although I was first introduced to it back in the early 70’s, it feels like it was written for these times.

New World Coming by Nina Simone (excerpt)

There’s a new world coming
And it’s just around the bend
There’s a new world coming
This one’s coming to an end

There’s a new voice calling
You can hear it if you try
And it’s growing stronger
With each day that passes by

There’s a brand new morning
Rising clear and sweet and free
There’s a new day dawning
That belongs to you and me

Yes a new world’s coming
The one we’ve had visions of
Coming in peace, coming in joy
Coming in love.

These are exciting times – Happy Autumn!

Want Versus Need

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I’ve really been learning a powerful lesson as these many past moons have gone by without a steady stream of income from one channel (i.e., a j-o-b): Spirit has provided for my needs at the very least, and at times even for my wants even though money wasn’t as abundant as I’ve thought it should be. And, I realize that my life is simpler, less stressed, and more joyful.

We have a roof over our heads, food in the pantry, clothes on our backs. These are basic needs, that when not satisfied can make one fearful, and unable to focus on anything else life has to offer until addressed. God has us covered.

We have good health – mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically (most days).

We wanted to attend a number of events this past weekend in Sedona and be able to overnight for two nights. Our experience was one where Spirit gave us more than what are the basic needs to survive. And, without having to dip deeply in our not so deep pockets.

We enjoyed two nights in a spacious, lovely condo to stay in without paying the $300 it would have cost had it not been for the kindness of the owner, our friend, and our agreeing to play housekeeper. In doing gardening service at Unity, we were fed lunch on Saturday. We attended a potluck on Sunday, and friends treated us to dinner on Monday. We were spiritually nourished at a mystical musical meditation one evening, a church service Sunday, and meaningful conversation with new friends and old throughout.

Except for fuel for our car and one meal tab in a restaurant, we really didn’t incur anymore than the ordinary expenses we would have had we stayed home. Yet, our spirits were enlivened by the natural beauty surrounding us in Northern Arizona and the spiritual beauty of the souls we encountered.

God, my Source, is providing for me. I am very blessed every day and realizing it more and more.

Today

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Today, remind yourself that nothing is too good to be true. Your great hopes can be realized. Your most wonderful dreams can come true. All that you really need, you can have. An incredible goodness is operating in your behalf. If you are living a paltry life, resolve to stop it today. Expect great things to happen. Confidently receive God’s abundant blessings. Do not think lack. Instead think prosperity, abundance, the best of everything. God wants to give to you, His child, every good thing. Don’t hinder His generosity.
– PealeCenterforPositiveThinking.com

Look to This Day by Kalidasa

Look to this day:
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.

For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well-lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day;
Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!

Today is a new day, a fresh start, another adventure. May I partake in it with vigor, enthusiasm, joy, and love.

Thank You, Spirit, for today!

Home

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Rog and I have been on the road quite a bit these last several months, mainly up north exploring our future home area. We’ve been guests at various friends’ homes for which I am most grateful for their kindness, hospitality, and comfortable digs.

Still, sometimes in the middle of the night or in the wee hours of the morning, I wake up and find myself a bit unsettled and missing our home in Gilbert, where I’ve resided for the past 6+ years.

To get out of this ego state of fear and apprehension, I’ll pray, meditate, and/or read spiritual literature. Before not too long, I’m feeling at peace and connected to Spirit.

I know that home is where my heart is and God resides in my heart. No matter where I might be physically, Spirit is with me always and I am always Home.

God’s Blessings

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“Today I vow to stay in touch with God and all of God’s blessings in my life.” Today’s Daily Word – Saturday, September 19, 2009

When I am conscious of my blessings, I am in a state of gratitude.

I am grateful for…

… the roof over my head. I don’t know for how long this particular structure will the one to house me, but for today I have shelter.
… my health. This physical body marches on in age, but for today it continues to serve as a communication device in this dimension.
… food to nourish this body.
… my creativity.
… increasing intuition.
… my capacity to love more and judge less.
… wonderful friends and others who love, care, and keep me in their prayers.
… Rog, my beloved twin flame, partner in Life’s adventures, and husband.

Above all, I am grateful for having “come to believe.” With a Power greater than myself, I am never alone, and my life has meaning. Life is a series of lessons and adventures full of love, peace, and joy.

Thank You, Spirit, for Your Presence and the blessings of this day!